US6358326B1 - Process for the preparation of flexible blocks from photopolymer plates using offset brushes - Google Patents
Process for the preparation of flexible blocks from photopolymer plates using offset brushes Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US6358326B1 US6358326B1 US09/440,916 US44091699A US6358326B1 US 6358326 B1 US6358326 B1 US 6358326B1 US 44091699 A US44091699 A US 44091699A US 6358326 B1 US6358326 B1 US 6358326B1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- brushes
- brush
- brushing
- sheet
- row
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
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Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03F—PHOTOMECHANICAL PRODUCTION OF TEXTURED OR PATTERNED SURFACES, e.g. FOR PRINTING, FOR PROCESSING OF SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; MATERIALS THEREFOR; ORIGINALS THEREFOR; APPARATUS SPECIALLY ADAPTED THEREFOR
- G03F7/00—Photomechanical, e.g. photolithographic, production of textured or patterned surfaces, e.g. printing surfaces; Materials therefor, e.g. comprising photoresists; Apparatus specially adapted therefor
- G03F7/26—Processing photosensitive materials; Apparatus therefor
- G03F7/30—Imagewise removal using liquid means
Definitions
- the present invention generally relates to a method for producing flexible plates from a photopolymer sheet. Such plates are usable for producing printed matter which is printed using a flexographic, letterpress or dry-offset printing method. More particularly, the present invention relates to the step of brushing the photopolymer sheet used for making such plates, and to a device for implementing the method of the present invention.
- Flexible plates are usually produced by exposing a sensitive sheet of photopolymer material to ultraviolet radiation, with the interposition of a negative film which leaves those zones which need to appear in relief on the plate when the plate is finished exposed to the radiation. The radiation hardens the exposed zones. The material of the protected surface is then removed by brushing the photopolymer sheet using flat or rotary brushes, and a solvent or an aqueous base, depending on the type of sheet.
- the exposed face of the sheet is brushed by a brush assembly made up of a row of flat brushes with essentially rectangular brushing surfaces.
- the brushes each undergo a movement of horizontal rotation and the brush assembly also undergoes a movement of reciprocating horizontal translation.
- U.S. Pat. No. 5,436,105 discloses a brushing method which combines both brushing in a horizontal to-and-fro movement in a direction that is transverse to the direction of forward travel of the photopolymer sheet and rotational brushing using brushes with circular brushing surfaces.
- this type of brushing gives rise to a major drawback in that the mechanical stresses created on the photopolymer sheet by the various movements are such that the stresses oppose the uniform and precise progression of the photopolymer sheet through the brushing section.
- the present invention serves to overcome this drawback by providing brushes that are offset by 180° in horizontal rotation with respect to the immediately adjacent brush, or to the two immediately adjacent brushes in a row of brushes. Such rotation of the brush, or of the two brushes immediately adjacent to each brush, has the effect of cancelling the stresses caused by rotation of the brush on the photopolymer sheet so that the photopolymer sheet can then progress through the brushing section with the required precision.
- the improvements of the present invention can both improve the brushing step described in European Patent Application No. 0,592,343 and allow the brushing step to be performed even more quickly, by performing it continuously.
- the brushing section (which is defined by the extreme positions of the brushes throughout the brushing step) allows the photopolymer sheets to be brushed across their width, irrespective of their length. It is also advantageous that when the movement (a recipricating horizontal translation) of the set of brushes is performed in a direction that is at a right angle to the direction of travel of the photopolymer sheet, through the brushes section, the entire surface of the photopolymer sheet is brushed by at least two adjacent brushes.
- crank-type transmission shaft be arranged at each end of the brushes, and that the cranks are rotated using a single motor.
- FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of the brushing section where the method of the present invention is implemented.
- FIG. 2 illustrates a brush according to the present invention, which is fitted with two cranks.
- FIGS. 3A through 3D sequentially illustrate movement of the brushes, in horizontal rotation, at 0°, 90°, 180° and 270° with respect to an origin, respectively.
- FIG. 1 illustrates a method, according to the present invention, for making plates from a sheet ( 1 ) of a photopolymer which has previously been exposed to ultraviolet radiation in order to convert the photopolymer sheets into printing plates for flexographic, letterpress or dry-offset printing.
- One stage of the manufacturing process is comprised of brushing the exposed face of the sheet ( 1 ) with a brush assembly ( 10 ) including a row ( 2 ) of flat brushes ( 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ) having generally rectangular brushing surfaces.
- the brushes ( 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ) each undergo a movement ( 40 ) of horizontal rotation and the brush assembly ( 10 ) also undergoes at least one movement ( 20 ) of reciprocating horizontal translation.
- each brush ( 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ) is offset by 180° in its horizontal rotation ( 40 ) with respect to the immediately adjacent brush, or to the two immediately adjacent brushes in the row ( 2 ) of brushes.
- the stresses induced in the sheet ( 1 ) by the rotation of each brush are cancelled by the stresses induced in the opposite direction on the sheet ( 1 ) by the rotation of the immediately adjacent brush, or of the two immediately adjacent brushes in the row ( 2 ) of brushes.
- the method of the present invention is further characterized by a brushing operation which is performed continuously, in a brushing section ( 50 ), by advancing ( 60 ) the sheet ( 1 ) at a constant speed through the brushing section ( 50 ).
- a brushing operation which is performed continuously, in a brushing section ( 50 ), by advancing ( 60 ) the sheet ( 1 ) at a constant speed through the brushing section ( 50 ).
- the brushing section ( 50 ) is defined by the extreme positions of the brushes. On the one hand, the brushing section ( 50 ) is defined by the furthest forward and furthest back positions of the brushes, in the direction of forward travel ( 60 ). On the other hand, the brushing section ( 50 ) is defined by the furthest forward and furthest back positions of the brushes, in a direction at a right angle to the direction of forward travel ( 60 ).
- the photopolymer sheet ( 1 ) is preferably introduced into the brushing section ( 50 ) at a right angle to the width of the brushes ( 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ), in a direction lengthwise to the brushes ( 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ), so that brushing is more effective.
- the brushing section ( 50 ) does not necessarily cover the entire length of the photopolymer sheet ( 1 ), but will cover at least the width of the sheet ( 1 ) in the direction of forward travel ( 60 ). This makes it possible to produce very long plates which were previously impossible to produce.
- the speed of the horizontal rotation ( 40 ) of each brush ( 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ) is preferably constant and identical in terms of direction and magnitude to that of the other brushes. It is also preferable that all of the horizontal rotations ( 40 ) are achieved using a single, motor-type, rotational drive.
- reciprocating horizontal translation ( 20 ) plays no part in achieving the multi-directional brushing needed to form an ideal relief.
- the movement of reciprocating horizontal translation ( 20 ) is useful only in evening out the brushing across the entire surface that is to be brushed.
- the movement of reciprocating horizontal translation ( 20 ) may be performed at a slow speed in order to minimize the risk of moving the photopolymer sheet ( 1 ) during brushing. As a result, all portions of the sheet ( 1 ) which have to be brushed are done so perfectly and quickly.
- An apparatus for implementing the method of the present invention is generally comprised of a brush assembly ( 10 ) having a row ( 2 ) of flat brushes ( 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ) with generally rectangular brushing surfaces.
- the brushes ( 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ) each undergo a movement ( 40 ) of horizontal rotation and the brush assembly ( 10 ) also undergoes at least one movement of reciprocating horizontal translation ( 20 ).
- Each brush ( 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ) is driven in horizontal rotation ( 40 ), by at least one crank ( 110 , 110 ′, 120 , 120 ′, 130 , 130 ′, 140 , 140 ′), as illustrated in FIG. 2 .
- each brush ( 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ) is driven in horizontal rotation ( 40 ) by two cranks ( 110 , 110 ′), ( 120 , 120 ′), ( 130 , 130 ′), ( 140 , 140 ′), respectively.
- Each crank has an input shaft, driven in rotation by suitable means, and an output shaft connected directly to the brush.
- the input shafts of each crank are offset with respect to the output shafts, but the input shafts of each pair of cranks are rotated together and turn at the same speed. This is preferably done using a single means of rotation, and means for inverting the transmission from one adjacent brush to the next in the row ( 2 ).
- the output shafts of each pair of cranks are always in the same angular position, and always give rise to the same movement of horizontal rotation ( 40 ) of the brushes ( 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ). Furthermore, the output shafts of each pair of cranks are always in the same angular position as the output shafts of each pair of cranks of the brush or brushes located just after the immediately adjacent brush or brushes in the row ( 2 ).
- the number of brushes essentially depends on the width of the brushing section that needs to be covered. There is preferably an even number of brushes ( 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ). If the rate of advance ( 60 ) is very high, it is possible to juxtapose a number of brushing sections ( 50 ) in the direction of forward travel ( 60 ) so as to improve the brushing process.
- FIGS. 3A through 3D sequentially illustrate an example of the movement of horizontal rotation ( 40 ) and of the offset of 180° between two immediately adjacent brushes in the row ( 2 ).
- the movement of reciprocating horizontal translation ( 20 ) is not illustrated in these figures, and the cranks ( 110 , 110 ′, 120 , 120 ′, 130 , 130 ′, 140 , 140 ′) are shown with rectangular crank webs, rather than the circular ones illustrated in FIG. 2 .
- FIG. 3A illustrates a starting position, with respect to the direction of horizontal rotation ( 40 )
- FIG. 3B illustrates the position of the brushes after a rotation through 90° with respect to the position illustrated in FIG. 3 A.
- FIG. 3C then illustrates the position of the brushes after a rotation through 180° with respect to the position illustrated in FIG. 3 A.
- FIG. 3D then illustrates the position of the brushes after a rotation through 270° with respect to the position illustrated in FIG. 3 A.
- the brush ( 12 ) is in its furthest back position with respect to the direction of forward travel ( 60 ) and is in a central position with respect to the direction ( 60 ′), defined arbitrarily.
- the brush ( 12 ) is in its furthest back position with respect to the direction ( 60 ′) and is in a central position with respect to the direction of forward travel ( 60 ).
- the brush ( 12 ) is in its furthest forward position with respect to the direction of forward travel ( 60 ) and is in a central position with respect to the direction ( 60 ′).
- FIG. 3A the brush ( 12 ) is in its furthest back position with respect to the direction of forward travel ( 60 ) and is in a central position with respect to the direction ( 60 ′).
- the brush ( 12 ) is in its furthest forward position with respect to the direction ( 60 ′) and in a central position with respect to the direction of forward travel ( 60 ). From this, it is clearly seen that in all positions, the brush ( 12 ) occupies a position which is exactly 180° from the positions occupied by the immediately adjacent brushes ( 11 , 13 ) in the row ( 2 ).
- FIGS. 3A through 3D also illustrate that the spacing between each brush ( 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ) forming the row ( 2 ) is variable, and that the spacing between the input shafts of the cranks ( 110 , 120 , 130 , 140 ), on the one hand, and between the input shafts of the cranks ( 110 ′, 120 ′, 130 ′, 140 ′), on the other hand, are always identical as a result of the respective retaining bars ( 21 , 21 ′).
Landscapes
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Photosensitive Polymer And Photoresist Processing (AREA)
- Manufacture Or Reproduction Of Printing Formes (AREA)
- Chair Legs, Seat Parts, And Backrests (AREA)
- Preparation Of Compounds By Using Micro-Organisms (AREA)
- Blow-Moulding Or Thermoforming Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)
- Printing Plates And Materials Therefor (AREA)
- Manufacturing Of Printed Wiring (AREA)
- Exposure And Positioning Against Photoresist Photosensitive Materials (AREA)
- Manufacturing Of Electric Cables (AREA)
- Extrusion Moulding Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)
- Superconductors And Manufacturing Methods Therefor (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims (9)
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
FR9814516 | 1998-11-17 | ||
FR9814516A FR2785997B1 (en) | 1998-11-17 | 1998-11-17 | IMPROVEMENT TO A PROCESS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF FLEXIBLE SHEETS AND DEVICE FOR IMPLEMENTING THE IMPROVEMENT |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US6358326B1 true US6358326B1 (en) | 2002-03-19 |
Family
ID=9532894
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/440,916 Expired - Fee Related US6358326B1 (en) | 1998-11-17 | 1999-11-16 | Process for the preparation of flexible blocks from photopolymer plates using offset brushes |
Country Status (7)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US6358326B1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1003079B1 (en) |
AT (1) | ATE266216T1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE69916974T2 (en) |
DK (1) | DK1003079T3 (en) |
ES (1) | ES2221338T3 (en) |
FR (1) | FR2785997B1 (en) |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20080006007A1 (en) * | 2006-06-10 | 2008-01-10 | Uhlmann Pac-Systeme Gmbh & Co. Kg | Apparatus for distributing small objects in a fill station |
CN105903695A (en) * | 2016-05-10 | 2016-08-31 | 无为县荣华鬃刷制品有限公司 | Electric brush for washing mane |
WO2017054827A1 (en) * | 2015-09-28 | 2017-04-06 | Glunz & Jensen | System for cleaning flexographic printing plates |
CN112775058A (en) * | 2020-12-29 | 2021-05-11 | 温州市凌度电子科技有限公司 | Surface treatment system and surface treatment method for cladding panel |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20190204745A1 (en) * | 2018-01-04 | 2019-07-04 | Eastman Kodak Company | Reduced flow rate processing system for flexographic printing plates |
Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0592343A1 (en) | 1992-10-07 | 1994-04-13 | Photomeca | Automated process for the production of flexible printing plates, the plate being placed with the sensitive surface upwards and apparatus therefor |
US5436105A (en) | 1991-07-16 | 1995-07-25 | Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation | Method of making subtractive offset printing plate |
Family Cites Families (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPS62217249A (en) * | 1986-03-19 | 1987-09-24 | Asahi Chem Ind Co Ltd | Washing device for photosensitive resin plate |
FR2691553B1 (en) * | 1992-05-25 | 1994-12-16 | Photomeca Sa | Automated process for making flexible plates and process implementation device. |
-
1998
- 1998-11-17 FR FR9814516A patent/FR2785997B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1999
- 1999-11-10 DE DE69916974T patent/DE69916974T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1999-11-10 DK DK99470020T patent/DK1003079T3/en active
- 1999-11-10 AT AT99470020T patent/ATE266216T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1999-11-10 ES ES99470020T patent/ES2221338T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1999-11-10 EP EP99470020A patent/EP1003079B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1999-11-16 US US09/440,916 patent/US6358326B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5436105A (en) | 1991-07-16 | 1995-07-25 | Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation | Method of making subtractive offset printing plate |
EP0592343A1 (en) | 1992-10-07 | 1994-04-13 | Photomeca | Automated process for the production of flexible printing plates, the plate being placed with the sensitive surface upwards and apparatus therefor |
Cited By (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20080006007A1 (en) * | 2006-06-10 | 2008-01-10 | Uhlmann Pac-Systeme Gmbh & Co. Kg | Apparatus for distributing small objects in a fill station |
US7389632B2 (en) * | 2006-06-10 | 2008-06-24 | Uhlmann Pac-Systeme Gmbh & Co. Kg | Apparatus for distributing small objects in a fill station |
WO2017054827A1 (en) * | 2015-09-28 | 2017-04-06 | Glunz & Jensen | System for cleaning flexographic printing plates |
US20180281500A1 (en) * | 2015-09-28 | 2018-10-04 | Glunz & Jensen | System for cleaning flexographic printing plates |
EP3356151A4 (en) * | 2015-09-28 | 2019-06-12 | Glunz & Jensen | System for cleaning flexographic printing plates |
CN105903695A (en) * | 2016-05-10 | 2016-08-31 | 无为县荣华鬃刷制品有限公司 | Electric brush for washing mane |
CN112775058A (en) * | 2020-12-29 | 2021-05-11 | 温州市凌度电子科技有限公司 | Surface treatment system and surface treatment method for cladding panel |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
DE69916974D1 (en) | 2004-06-09 |
DK1003079T3 (en) | 2004-08-09 |
EP1003079A1 (en) | 2000-05-24 |
FR2785997B1 (en) | 2000-12-22 |
DE69916974T2 (en) | 2005-05-04 |
ES2221338T3 (en) | 2004-12-16 |
FR2785997A1 (en) | 2000-05-19 |
EP1003079B1 (en) | 2004-05-06 |
ATE266216T1 (en) | 2004-05-15 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: PHOTOMECA/EGG, FRANCE Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:BRAZIER, DAVID;REEL/FRAME:010619/0783 Effective date: 19991118 |
|
FPAY | Fee payment |
Year of fee payment: 4 |
|
FPAY | Fee payment |
Year of fee payment: 8 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: HEIGHTS FRANCE SAS, FRANCE Free format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:PHOTOMECA/EGG;REEL/FRAME:023379/0007 Effective date: 20021015 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: HEIGHTS (UK) LIMITED, UNITED KINGDOM Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:HEIGHTS FRANCE SAS;REEL/FRAME:023390/0053 Effective date: 20090803 |
|
REMI | Maintenance fee reminder mailed | ||
LAPS | Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees | ||
STCH | Information on status: patent discontinuation |
Free format text: PATENT EXPIRED DUE TO NONPAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEES UNDER 37 CFR 1.362 |
|
FP | Lapsed due to failure to pay maintenance fee |
Effective date: 20140319 |